Ask the Experts Hammering Metals Q&A

Please tell me what tool to use for a hammered look on metals like sterling silver and gold-filled?

- Frances

Use the smooth ball side of a chasing hammer or ball peen hammer on the metal while the metal is secured on a steel block. These hammers are sized and polished for jewelry-making tasks, so it is best to select from them.

To achieve the best results with the hammered look, you may wish to anneal the metal in a kiln, with a butane torch or with a propane fuel torch for larger pieces. Annealing will bring the metal to its most malleable state and will allow you to form as deep and as well defined a hammer strike as you like.

- Sandra Lupo, Metalsmith, Jewelry Artist and Instructor